Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-06-23
THE INSANE ASYLUM.

Va - - GIL 11Sas w -WTEl
The INSANE ASYLUM.
A Visisto the Home of the UnfDrtunate,
Where Music, Flowers. Singing Birds
and Happy Hours ~Prevail-Its admir-
1 management.
The opportunity long desired came at
last. The day when the party drove t o
our door to take. us to the asylum was
just charming. The rain OF the previous
day had ceased. The wind had hauled
around to the fair weather quarter. The
breezy cool waves of the atmosphere
after the excessive heat was refreshing,
exhileratinS beyond measure, just the
medicine to restore proper one to the
physical man, The drive wac only too
short with such pleasant surroundings.
In q time Incredibly short we were set
down at the door of this colossal pile of
brick and mortar where the state dispen-
ses Its grand public charity to the IN
fortunate. Tnis institution is the pride
OF u city, or should be the pride OF our
BSoRso GAS hubhS0 CUUuluk
from the profits of trade. Once on the
steps of the building we face about to
take III the picture furnished by the
south and west. There was the material
for the pencil of the master. The nearer
views about the building were furnished
With howets. Every approach to the
asylum, whether by paths or carriage
drives, were fringed with flowers OF
every variety aud color. At the
door We were kindly welcomed
by the obliaing superintendent and
his pleasant wife, Dr.. Craveps and lady.
We soon found that the outsiae pro-
fusion of beautiful flowers prevailed only
in q most shadowy outline compared
with the abundance and variety of what
We found inside. Flowers in the win
dows, on tae mantels, every stand and
bracket adorned with flowers. Flowers
lined the hall leading 10 the chapel. In
the female ward we found the floral dig
play rich and beautiful. A=age went on,
led by our genial leaders, at conveni-
emit distances We were greeted by sing
ing birds g o that when we went from
room to room We we're never out of hear
ing OF the eopgs of birds. The cages
where theGe sweet singers we're confined
we're SO numerous. that at last we asked,
"how many birds have you in the asylum
doctor r Il believe there are in the
Il IL. Nj - EL W.
nsighborhood Of s~eventy-hve,' vas the
answer. Nor were flowers and Dir Is all
that added enchantment TO these other
wise gloomy halls, for Va were never
out OF sight of beautiful pictures adorn-
ing the walls, all full OF inspiration aud
glsdness. The gloomy was far in the
back ground, ii it was admitted to The
scene at all. In each ward of the build
ing, about midway Of the hail, instead
OF a room for patients a recess had been
left on tho sunny side OF the house.
Here the inmates gathered to
pass the hours OF the day in ~innocsnt
games and in singing. Four organs
have been furnished to aid in this de-
lIghtful and pleasant exercise. The
-
female patients were busy with their
books, for there is a we'll selected library
at the institution accessible to all who
have an inclination that wey. Others
were busy with their curious patch york
or fancy sewing. Amy thing to take the
attention from self. The men, as many
as were able, we're outside with the flowers
and plants and were busy with hoes and
rakes. The various dining halls for the
inmates and the sleeping apartments
we're CHEEKY, well ventilated and scrupu-
lousy neat. We were shown into the
cooking room, wash room, bake shop,snd
all showed the same order, thrift and
neatness which characterized the estab-
ilshment all throughout. There was unity
because there was executive ability in
the head. The trustees have reason to
congratulate themselves ia the way the
institution Is conducted. The crowded
state OF the wards calls for immediate en-
largement accommodation. Does the
governor know these needs? Does he
49," o1os0 ahio1puh6tS ouoo husb sui
fer every day this needed improvement
is witheld? The taxpayer may jsst ask
who is responsible for this delay?
AZ We came away from this noble in
s%titution we could not resistthe conclu-
sion that the true secret, as adopted at
the Yankton insane asylum, has been
fonnd out end is now IN trial at the
insane asylum near this city, and doubt
not will show that works of art, music,
recreation, employment and life ON ex-
hibition before the inmates will do vast
~ more as curative agencies than
medicine administered IN heroic doses
without these necessary ~adjunots. This
Institution as now managed could re-
oeive and DOES receive the apprnnriata